Affirmation of Welcome
Reformation, a congregation of Christ's Church, welcomes everyone to join with us in a journey of faith. We are committed to providing worship, programs, ministries and pastoral care to all, regardless of religious background, age, color, ability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic status, or national origin. Everyone is welcome in this place, where the love of God is the foundation of all that we say and do!
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The Reporter
Reformation Lutheran Church
ALL Are Welcome & Affirmed Here!
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Worship Service Update
We have resumed the in-person worship service on Sundays at 10:00 AM. Please see the information below for further information on making a reservation to attend the worship service. In addition to this, and in order to ensure the health and safety of our congregation, we will continue to broadcast the service online via Facebook Live. Please join us for worship online HERE.
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Pastor's Perspective
In Paul’s letter to the Galatians [6:9-10], he wrote to them about working for the good of all. “So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially...” One of the aspects about Christianity is being able to care beyond one’s self. In his letter to the Philippians[2:4-7] he challenged the church to have the same mind as Christ,
Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave...”
I think of these passages in this time of Covid resurgence with all these new variants. Why? Because the majority of the reasons I hear from people not getting one of the vaccines available or even wear a mask as a way to mitigate the transmission of the virus goes something along the line, “It infringes on my personal freedom.” So because of their personal freedom, in just under 2 years, over 614,000 people have died. That’s more than any military war we as a nation have faced. Yet they continue to proclaim their personal freedom is more important than doing what has been proven to minimize this virus.
We know with vaccines people are less likely to contract the virus, and when one does, the effects of the virus are less severe. But as this summer has unfolded, the unvaccinated refuse to wear a mask and avoid large crowds, outdoor or indoor, and we have a resurgence once again, to the rate it was with last year’s infections, and their neighbors and loved ones die from a virus that could have been controlled by now.
This is where those Pauline passages come in. Kathy and I received our vaccines because we thought of the others. Our families, whom we wished to see, this congregation I am honored to serve, our neighbors, the strangers we may meet, even those who may see us as enemies. Our taking the vaccine reflects our care for others. Are there risks to the vaccines? Possibly. They were developed very quickly, but there were technological procedures used as never before, with cooperation between pharmaceutical companies that was unprecedented. But even with those possible risks, we and many others have taken the vaccine not just for ourselves, but because we care for the “others”. For me, that’s what the whole of scripture is about, how we care for others. No matter how those who refuse the vaccine because of personal freedom try to spin it, their answer is self-centered, and it reveals the opposite of the Christ-like mind Paul calls us to in his letters to those first-century churches.
Let us be like Jesus. Let us care for others, and not just for ourselves.
In Christ,
Pastor Tim
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Prayers of the Church
Sick and Homebound: Tracy Hamiter; Dot Perry; Barbara Prosser; Connie Pool; Bobbie Black; Carla Ray and Beth Mayer.
Health: Emmy Reeves; Landon Derrick; James Dekle; Pastor Jim Nichols; Bernard Slice; Peggy Thompson and Bobbie Prosser.
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Transition Team Update
Reformation’s Transition Team, Worship and Music Team, and Council has recommended updates to our practices based on recent CDC Guidance for fully vaccinated persons and on updates from The Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacrament (ECPWFS.) A few of the changes are highlighted below, and the full document can be found online - https://reformationcae.org/resources-%26-references or on the table in the narthex.
- We will discontinue registration for Worship, but may resume if COVID counts rise in our communities, or if we have more regular attendees than social distancing allows.
- In Worship we will continue to wear masks, covering both mouth and nose.
- We will add hymns (all verses) and more musical liturgy back into the Service.
- We will continue to practice social distancing in the Sanctuary — 16 feet distance from singer(s) to congregation and 6 feet distance between household groups.
- We will continue to use pre-packaged communion elements, and will add a wine option to the grape juice we are currently using.
- We will continue to keep outer doors open as long as weather permits and will keep Fans ON during Sanctuary use to promote good air flow.
Unfortunately, we are not yet ready to resume indoor Fellowship time after worship. However, slowly and safely, we are working to return our Sunday worship experience to the “new normal”.
Note: The Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacrament notes that the latest CDC guidance for masks and social distancing is for what individuals can do -- not what congregations (in which both vaccinated and unvaccinated people gather together) should do. Congregations may include people who are unvaccinated, including children; persons who have not yet been, or may never be able to be vaccinated; and some who have refused vaccination. For the sake of the unvaccinated -- for their safety, and to avoid stigmatizing them, we will continue to wear masks in worship or whenever we gather in groups that may include non-vaccinated people.
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Servant’s Committee Update
During the month of June, the Servant’s Committee collected 3x5 index cards during church service, see the list below. There were many wonderful ideas and suggestions turned in to reach out in the community, opportunities for us to come together as a congregation, etc.
Over the past six months, the Servant Committee members have done an exceptional outpouring of themselves to generate and carry out activities to reach out to the community and enhance fellowship activities. A part of this ministry it has been an exhilarating and uplifting experience to see things brainstormed, planned, and come alive. There have been eight core people making this happen and we are looking for others to join this group to help in planning and carrying out the awesome ideas and suggestions given to us as we grow both in the community and as members of a beautiful congregation.
Below is a listing of the Committee Member’s and their contact information. If you are interested, please reach out and let one of us know.
We are currently looking for volunteers for the upcoming Indoor Garage Sale as we will need folks to arrange ‘stuff’ on tables as it is received, to work on Saturday, Sep 18th, which involves ‘sale time’ and ‘packing up’ when sale Is over. Please join us in sharing fellowship and working for the community. This is a wonderful time to get to know your fellow congregant and share in the experience of ‘God’s Work. Our Hands’.
Congregant’s Suggestion for Service Projects, etc
June 2021
The following list ideas collected during the first two weeks in June:
- Get to together for coffee and snack’s
- Small group – Coffee hour
- Fifth Sunday Potluck
- Social: Parking lot concert and picnic
- Service: Become a volunteer for Harvest Hope / Organize volunteers to pick up and take home our Lowman Home Senior’s when they are unable to drive, especially evening events
- Earlewood Clean-up – Walk, talk, and pick up trash, ends w/ cookout at church
- Fund Raiser – Yard Sale
- Supper Club
- Feeding the homeless
- School supply drive
- Game nights
- Start a softball team – PLEASE
- Art Day w/ Canvas Paint a message of love/peace – display on Sundays – picking the artist
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Cayce Cottage in the Avenues, August 6th, 2021 6:30-9:00 pm, 1220 H Ave, W. Columbia, 29169
- Ideas generated during Servant Committee’s last meeting:
- Collect trash from local park
- Donate Blood
- Game Night
- Supper Club – once a month
- Create signs of encouragement and inspiration for those who drive by the church
- 24-hr prayer chain
- Car wash – collect donations
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Safe Space Dinners
The first Safe Space Dinner will be held on Thursday, August 12, 2021, we will have additional important opportunities to give of ourselves, including the preparation and serving of dinner to the youth we seek to serve. Contact Mike Watson for details.
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August Lector and Usher/Greeter Schedule
August 1
Lector - Carlotta Stackhouse
Gary Parish & Lynn Black
August 8
Lector - Jim Prater
Ushers/Greeters - Ginny Eiwen & Eddie Ritchie
August 15
Lector - Julia Prater
Ushers/Greeters - Jim Prater & Shirl Lamontagne
August 22
Lector - Sue ZurSchmiede
Ushers/Greeters - Raymond Cook & Sam Ruff
August 29
Lector - Sarah Trani
Ushers/Greeters - Shirl Lamontagne & Eddie Ritchie
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August Celebrations
Birthdays
Sterling Hasinger, August 3
Marcella Aguilera, August 5
Frosty (Forrest) Lohr, August 5
Joanna Zaleski Marcella, August 6
Norris (Bernard) Slice, August 8
Cynthia Richey, August 9
Wendell Gulledge, August 10
Clayton King, August 12
Liam Hein, August 13
Kirby Rose Ashburn, August 14
Jamie Mansperger, August 15
Mary Patricia - Pat Meetze, August 17
Tiffanie Reeves, August 21
Gil Young, August 23
Patrick P. Miles, August 27
Steven Asbill, August 28
Carla Ray, August 29
Lee Amick, August 30
Anniversaries
Jim and Marilyn Potts, August 9
Elizabeth Ann Kurth & Shirl Lamontagne, August 18
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Annual Beach Retreat
COASTAL RETREAT CENTER
ISLE OF PALMS, SC
****SAVE THE DATE***
SEPTEMBER 6-12, 2021
Come and experience spiritual renewal,
Bible studies, fun activities, great food.
Come for the entire week or just a few days.
Cost is $90 per room per night and $10 per day for food-(10 and under -free)
If interested, please contact Kathy Bupp at:
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From the ELCA Website and
Living Lutheran
I’m a Lutheran:
Rico Martinez Gonzalez
Voices of Faith
I came to Luther Place seven or eight years ago. I lived at the church’s night shelter for a year and a half before moving to N Street Village (a social service nonprofit). At my old church, they didn’t accept the way that I dressed or acted. I needed to leave. Luther Place actually accepted me. They accepted me as a person, you know? They weren’t judgmental. Belonging to a church that accepts the LGBTQIA+ community was like a big starting point for me to start going back to worship. It’s the best.
The day I got baptized at Luther Place, I remember being nervous. I’m not good in large crowds. Everybody I knew was there; they had my back. What I remember is that there was a basin, and Pastor Karen poured water on my head with a seashell. It felt like forever, but the presence of God was so strong. I never felt that way before. It was just amazing.
I’m a Lutheran because my church is like family to me. Many from our LGBTQIA+ community serve as assisting ministers or musicians. We have been to pride parades to welcome the LGBTQIA+ community. We accept everybody and anybody. Some churches say that they do that, and then you get in there and they really don’t—that’s just a ploy to get members. Luther Place is the only church I know that accepts the LGBTQIA+ community with open arms.
At Reformation Lutheran Church, we invite everyone, regardless of their background and history to join us on a spiritual journey in following the way of Jesus Christ. We are a Reconciling in Christ Congregation. We welcome and affirm you.
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Announcements and Reminders
Calendar Updates
Check the calendar on the church's web page (www.reformationcae.org) for the latest updates, changes, cancellations, and postponements in church activities and meetings.
Adult Sunday School - In-Person and Virtual
Adult Sunday School meets from 8:30 to 9:30 each Sunday morning. Participants can join the class in person in the Parlor or by Zoom. This earlier time gives any who want to do Sunday School via Zoom but worship in-person time to drive to the building after Sunday School. The Zoom Meeting ID for the new Sunday School time is: Zoom ID – 85945785914. We are exploring various faiths and denominations using Honoring Our Neighbors' Faith materials, but you don't have to have the book to participate.
August 8 – Unitarian Universalist Association
August 15 and 22 – Honoring Our Neighbors' Faith Final Sunday School classes for this book and series, Jerry Huber teaching
The Adult Sunday school class will take a break following August 22 and will resume on Sunday, September 19.
On Wednesday, August 25 at 7:30 p.m. we will discuss the movie Meltdown on Dixie, a documentary on Maurice Bessenger's Barbeque Restaurant in Orangeburg, SC. To watch the movie beforehand, go to PBS.org and search for the title of the movie. Take good notes so WE can have an awesome discussion! The zoom meeting ID is
817 3651 2697. If you cannot locate the movie or have any questions, feel free to contact Sarah Trani at sarah.trani@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you Wednesday, August 25 virtually!!!
Wired Word Wednesdays
Wired Word Wednesdays is a great time to meet with others (by Zoom) and discuss news topics and how our Christian faith relates to them. The Wired Word Wednesday group meets virtually every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. This has been an exciting group for those involved as we visit and share with a purpose. Join one session or as many as you can. We have a variety of discussion leaders and a new topic each week. The zoom ID to sign in is 723 783 6505. We meet for about one hour. Anyone is welcome to join the group. Topical resources arrive each week and are sent to all who wish to participate. (You can sign up to receive the resource for individual reading and reflection.) To sign up for the group discussion or the resource, send an email to dotjeffcoat@aol.com.
Discussion Leaders
August 4 - Rev. Karin Culp
August 11 - Jerry Huber
August 18 - Steve Asbill
We Will Continue to Wear Masks.
Sarah Trani has offered to supply those who need cloth masks. You may contact her directly at sarah.trani@gmail.com.
Keep in Touch with Your Church Family
Do you need a Reformation Lutheran Church Membership Directory? To request a copy, please contact Mikita at the Church Office at (803.252.1507) or via e-mail at officeofreform@gmail.com.
Reformation Lutheran Church Newsletter
The Reporter is published monthly at Reformation Lutheran Church and is sent electronically or mailed to members and friends who wish to have a copy. A link to The Reporter newsletter is also posted on the church website: www.ReformationCAE.org and on Reformation's Facebook page. A mid-month newsletter is also published and sent electronically with timely information and updates.
The deadline to submit articles or items to be updated, announced, or published is the eighteenth of the month. If you have news to share, please send it to the church office. Please email to officeofreform@gmail.com.
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1118 Union St. Columbia, SC 29201
803-252-1507
Tim Bupp, Pastor
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